Minutes Zvolen 2012 - Douzelage.org

DOUZELAGE – EUROPEAN TOWN TWINNING ASSOCIATION
18 May 2012 :
Morning
Visit at Technical University of Wood industry and Furniture Design.
Meeting with university representatives and a lecture on the town and school history.
Students’ designs exhibiton visit.
Visit of Zvolen university Arboretum, where there is a collection of trees and plants from the whole country.
Afternoon
Start of presenting.
Miss Janka Pavlíková from Environmental organization Slatinka introduced their research on Young people
needs and requests in Zvolen. How do young people spend their free time and what they would like to be
changed in the town.
This presentation was followed by information on this topic from young people representing each town.
1. Zvolen - Lenka Ticha, Katarina Janovska spoke about possibilities for young people in Zvolen.
They listed activities organized by council for youngsters such as concerts, sport or cultural events.
They bfiefly introduced their high school too.
2. Sherborne – Elizabeth - we heard a very good presentation on young people interests. We learnt that
in Sherborne young people and council cooperate and there is also a youth council.
3. Chojna – Paweł and Tamasz from Chojna revealed a secret about themselves. Not being students
anymore but teachers came to the youth section share experience and find ideas how it works in youth
councils in other douzelage towns. They expressed satisfaction about young peoples’ possibilities in
Chojna and were happy to introduced us their work too.
4. Marsaskala – Raffael and Sefora two very enthusiastic young people spoke about how science is
taught in Marsaskala schools and specifically at their school. They also pointed out how important it is to
separate waste which is what their school does too.
5. Meerssen – Niky and Frederiki from Meersen brought life and a huge dose of energy into the group.
They spoke about their school theatre and although expressed very good cooperative between youth as
one of them is an active member of youth council.
6. Bad Kotzting – Franz and Michael two friendly young boys from Germany spoke about their little village
although none of them live there they both go to school there. They told the group about the school and
said that young people are not afraid to address members of the local council with their ideas or
suggestions as the village is very small and people live and work close together.
7. Judenburg – Nina and Bridget introduced their school and town. The local council listens to young
peoples’s ideas although there is no youth council working.
8. Niederanven – Carol being a primary school teacher brought an additional value to the group having
the possibility to share her experience and ideas on how can young people cooperate with local council.
There exists a youth house for children and young people to spend their free time for free. The
approach to learning languages is a lot different from other countries as it is absolutely necessary to
speak at least three languages at a very early age.
9. Sušice – Tereza and Diana had a very good presentation about the opportunities for students and
young people. There is a school council and there used to be a town youth council but they have only
some chance to make their suggestions really work and discuss it with the town council. Although there
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